Personal inter-home media exchange network

ABSTRACT

A system and method support the exchange of media between friends, family members, and 3 rd  party media providers over a closed and secure media exchange network. The media may include, for example, digital video, digital audio, digital images, digital data, or any form of digital information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to, claims priority to and claimsbenefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/432,472filed on Dec. 11, 2002, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.60/443,894 filed on Jan. 30, 2003, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSerial No. 60/469,329 filed on May 9, 2003, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/469,182 filed on May 9, 2003. In addition, thecomplete subject matter of the above patent applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, people have many digital media devices and media types availableto them, such as digital cameras providing still pictures, DVD's anddigital camcorders providing moving video, CD's and MP3 playersproviding audio, etc. Different software is required to deliver thedifferent media using a personal computer (PC). Also, the userinterfaces for the different media types are also different from eachother. If, for example, a son wants to send digital pictures from hisdigital camera to his mother, she would need to have a PC, he would haveto send the pictures via e-mail, and she would have to be e-mail savvy.The mother would also need the correct software to view the pictures.The son may have to talk his mother through the process of how to viewthe pictures on her PC. The pictures just exist in a large e-mail fileand may be lost if the mother or son upgrades their PC by, for example,changing operating systems.

Also, if the son wants to show the pictures to people at his home, hewould need to have everyone gather around his PC, which does not providefor a good sharing experience.

Also, certain types of sales and advertisement media and new music mediaare typically available from just a PC environment and are notaccessible by a television. Currently, television provides mostly fixedmedia and not much interactivity as a PC and Internet environment mayprovide. A television viewer is essentially limited to watching fixedmedia including the same commercials that everyone else is watching.

Media devices may be battery powered, portable or mobile devices thatare designed to operate while in motion (“roaming media devices”), ormay be designed for operation while in a fixed location and usuallyconnected to a power outlet (“stationary media devices”). Typical mediadevices, including media capture and player devices such as video andimage cameras, audio recorders, and video, audio and image players, aredesigned for direct user control.

Direct control of such media devices occurs manually through buttons,switches and keypads on the media device or on an associated remotecontrol device. With direct control, users have access to a wide set ofdevice commands, such as power on or off, play, rewind, capture, erase,delete, zoom, rewind, skip, sleep, standby, volume, brightness, modes,scan, etc. Direct access to media (for playback, review, etc.) intypical media devices is but one result of direct control.

Many of such media devices also use displays, light emitting diodes, andother visual components to assist the user in carrying out directcontrol. Audible or audio components are also often employed to assist.

Most media devices offer no means for indirect control, and, for thosethat do, the indirect control is very limited and difficult to use.Indirect control is control that is initiated from an independent devicethat may or may not be operated by a user. Independent devices do notinclude remote control devices that communicate directly with the mediadevice (associated remote control devices).

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and methodto perform exchanges of media between friends, family members, and3^(rd) party media providers over a closed, secure media exchangenetwork. The media may include, for example, digital video, digitalaudio, digital images, digital data, or any form of digital information.

Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system supportingexchange of media. Such a system may comprise a first television displayin a first home, and a first storage in the first home that stores themedia. The first storage may support consumption of the media by thefirst television display in the first home, and may have an associatedfirst network address. The system may also comprise a second televisiondisplay in a second home, and a second storage supporting consumption ofthe media by the second television display in the second home, thesecond storage having an associated second network address.

An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise a communicationnetwork and server software. The server software may receive a requestthat identifies one of the associated first and second networkaddresses, and may respond by identifying the other of the associatedfirst and second network addresses. The server software may supportdelivery via the communication network of the media from the firststorage to the second home for consumption by the second televisiondisplay. The first and second network addresses may be one of anInternet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address,and an electronic serial number (ESN). The communication network maycomprise at least one of a cable infrastructure, a satellite networkinfrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, anInternet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure. The communication networkmay be the Internet, and the media may comprise at least one of audio, astill image, video, and data, and the media may also comprise real-timevideo. The consumption may comprise at least one of playing audio,displaying a still image, displaying video, and displaying data.

Further aspects of the present invention may be seen in a systemsupporting exchange of media. An embodiment of such a system maycomprise a first storage in a first home that stores the media, andhaving an associated first protocol address. The system may alsocomprise a second television display in a second home, and having anassociated second protocol address. The system may also comprise set topbox circuitry, in the first home. The set top box circuitry may becommunicatively coupled to deliver the media from the first storage tothe second television display for consumption. An embodiment of thepresent invention may also comprise a communication network, and serversoftware that receives a request that identifies one of the associatedfirst and second protocol addresses. The server software may respond byidentifying the other of the associated first and second protocoladdresses to support delivery via the communication network of the mediafrom the first storage to the second television display for consumption.The media in an embodiment of the present invention may comprise atleast one of audio, a still image, video, and data, and the media maycomprise real-time video.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second protocoladdresses may be one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a mediaaccess control (MAC) address, and an electronic serial number (ESN). Theconsumption may comprise at least one of playing audio, displaying astill image, displaying video, and displaying data. The communicationnetwork may comprise at least one of a cable infrastructure, a satellitenetwork infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure,an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure. In an embodiment inaccordance with the present invention, the communication network may bethe Internet. The server software may support anonymous media exchange,and may forward media from the first storage to the second televisiondisplay. In an embodiment of the present invention, the server softwaremay be at a location separate from the first home and the second home.

Additional aspects of the present invention may be observed in a systemsupporting exchange of media, where the system comprises a first storagein a first home that stores the media, and a second television displayin a second home. The system may also comprise set top box circuitry, inthe first home, communicatively coupled to deliver the media from thefirst storage to the second television display for consumption. Inaddition, the system may comprise a communication network, and serversoftware that coordinates delivery of the media from the first storageto the set top box circuitry.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the media may comprise atleast one of audio, a still image, video, and data, and the media maycomprise real-time video. Consumption in an embodiment in accordancewith the present invention may comprise at least one of playing audio,displaying a still image, displaying video, and displaying data. Thecommunication network may comprise at least one of a cableinfrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriberline (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranetinfrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.The communication network may be the Internet. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the server software may support anonymous mediaexchange.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork supporting the exchange of media, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an MPS (mediaprocessing system), in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the broadband networkinfrastructure illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method, using themedia exchange network of FIG. 1, for performing media exchange, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 comprises a media exchange network for exchanging and sharingmedia information in accordance with an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate two types of media push, personal and thirdparty, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising aPC-to-M-box media exchange network configuration.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention thatprovides digital media exchange.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present inventioncomprising an Internet infrastructure, a cable broadband infrastructure,and an optional head end server.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the variousinfrastructure elements associated with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates the various functional elements of an enhancedset-top-box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates legacy set-top-box support using an M-box adapter inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates legacy set-top-box support by upgrading the legacyset-top-box with software, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the field ofmedia exchange and sharing. More specifically, certain embodiments ofthe present invention relate to the exchange and sharing of mediabetween, for example, family members and friends in an efficient,user-friendly, and economically viable manner over a closed and securemedia exchange network. Digital media may be pushed from one user toanother over a media exchange network, or pulled from one location toanother over a media exchange network, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. Sources of media on a mediaexchange network may include any digital storage devices includingservers, PC's, MPS's (media processing systems), media storage servers(e.g., NAS (network attached storage) units), and media peripheraldevices. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, amedia peripheral device comprises a computer running media capturesoftware and/or media player software and having functionality that iscoordinated through, for example, a TV screen.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 100 supporting the exchange of media, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The various types of media mayinclude, for example, digital video, digital audio, digital images,digital data, and any other type of digital information. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, media is stored in the formof digital files (e.g., a MP3 file, a MPEG 2 file, etc.). Specifically,a media exchange network 100 is a communication network comprising, forexample, a broadband network infrastructure 101, a first MPS 102 in afirst private home 103 comprising a STB (set-top-box) 104 incorporatinga MMS (media management system) also known as a MES (media exchangesoftware) platform, and a TV screen 105. The functionality provided bythe MMS in the STB 104 is controlled by a remote control 106. The mediaexchange network 100 further comprises a home network 107, a media NAS(network attached storage) unit 108, a first home PC 109, and a secondhome PC 110 all in the first private home 103. The media exchangenetwork also comprises a plurality of media peripheral devices 118including a mobile multi-media gateway 111, a multi-media PDA 112, adigital camera 113, a digital camcorder 114, a MP3 player 115, and ahome juke-box 116 all in the first private home 103. In accordance withan embodiment of the present invention, a media peripheral device mayalso comprise a PC.

The media exchange network 100 further comprises an MPS 117 comprising aTV incorporating a MMS at a second private home 119. The functionalityprovided by the MMS in the MPS 117 is controlled by a remote control121. The media exchange network also comprises a media NAS unit 120 anda plurality of media peripheral devices 122 at the second private home119. The media exchange network 100 further comprises an MPS 123including a PC incorporating a MMS at a place of business 124. APC-based MPS such as MPS 123 may be equipped with a television tunercard to permit MPS 123 to access over-the-air broadcast media. Thefunctionality provided by the MMS in the MPS 123 is controlled by akeyboard 128 and/or a mouse 129. The media exchange network 100 alsoincludes a media NAS unit 125 at the place of business 124. Finally, themedia exchange network 100 comprises a media exchange server 126 and a3^(rd) party media provider 127 (or 3^(rd) party service provider).

The MPS 102, the MPS 117, the MPS 123, the media exchange server 126,and the 3^(rd) party media provider 127 all interface to the broadbandnetwork infrastructure 101. The STB 104 interfaces via a wired orwireless connection to the TV screen 105 forming the MPS 102 at thefirst private home 103. The MPS 102 connects to the home network 107 viaa wired or wireless connection. The media NAS unit 108, the first PC109, and the second PC 110 each interface to the home network 107 aswell, via a wired or wireless connection. Each media peripheral devicein the plurality of media peripheral devices 118 interface to the MPS102 via a wired or wireless connection.

The MPS 117 interfaces, via a wired or wireless connection, to the mediaNAS unit 120 at the second private home 119. Each media peripheraldevice in the plurality of media peripheral devices 122 interface, via awired or wireless connection, to the MPS 117. The MPS 123 interfaces,via a wired or wireless connection, to the media NAS unit 125 at theplace of business 124.

The PC's 109, 110, and 123 (i.e., the MPS 123) may comprise desktopPC's, notebook PC's, PDA's, or any computing device. The broadbandnetwork infrastructure 101 may include cable infrastructure, DSLinfrastructure, the Internet, intranet infrastructure, and broadbandaccess headends including a cable headend, and a satellite headend, forexample, in order to provide communications between, for example, thefirst private home 103, the second private home 119, the place ofbusiness 124, and the 3^(rd) party media provider 127.

The home network 107 may include home PNA (phoneline networkingalliance) infrastructure, home cable infrastructure, Ethernetinfrastructure, and 802.11b wireless infrastructure, for example,providing peer-to-peer networking capability within the first privatehome 103. The 3^(rd) party media provider 127 may include, for example,a provider of digital music, a provider of digital movies, or a providerof consumer services (e.g., software updates from a media peripheraldevice manufacturer).

The MMS's in the MPS's 102, 117, and 123 each comprise a softwareplatform operating on at least one processor to provide certainfunctionality including user interface functionality, distributedstorage functionality, and networking functionality. For example, a MMSmay provide personal media channel construction supporting audio, video,images, image sequence selection, text, voice overlay, channel andprogram naming, and inter-home MPS routing selection, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the MMS softwareplatform in a PC-based MPS such as MPS 123 may permit access toover-the-air broadcast media using a television tuner card installedwithin the MPS 123. An MPS is also known, herein, as a media-box and/oran M-box.

The media exchange server 126 provides the functionality of distributednetworking capability, archival functionality (long term media storage),temporary storage (to aid in the distribution and routing of media),distributed storage management, digital rights management (e.g.,authentication/authorization), network management, billing, and softwareapplication program interfacing on the media exchange network 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

A media NAS unit comprises a collection of mass storage devicescontained in a single unit with a built-in operating system. A NAS unitis a dedicated computer that manages storage devices and is “tuned up”to store media. A NAS unit may serve a single user or many users on amedia exchange network at the same time. A NAS unit buffers up storage,retrieval, and print jobs and may include, for example, an Ethernet cardfor connectivity.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an MPS (mediaprocessing system) 200, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The MPS 200 comprises a media peripheral 201 (e.g., aTV), a MMS 202, and a broadband communication interface 203. The mediaperipheral 201 may also comprise a media player or a PC, for example.The broadband communication interface 203 provides connectivity to abroadband network infrastructure such as, for example, the broadbandnetwork infrastructure 101 of FIG. 1. The broadband communicationinterface 203 may include, for example, a cable modem, a DSL modem, oran Ethernet card. In accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, an MPS may also include a remote control user interface toallow control of the functionality of the MPS using, for example, aremote control device, a keyboard, and/or a mouse.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a broadband networkinfrastructure 300 being representative of the broadband networkinfrastructure 101 illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The broadband network infrastructure300 comprises an Internet infrastructure 301, a DSL infrastructure 302,a satellite headend 303, a copper cable infrastructure 304, a firstcable headend 305, a fiber optic cable infrastructure 306, and a secondcable headend 307.

The DSL infrastructure 302, the copper cable infrastructure 304 and thefiber optic cable infrastructure 306 each interface to the Internetinfrastructure 301. The Internet infrastructure 301 may also interfaceto a media exchange server and a 3^(rd) party media provider in a mediaexchange network.

The DSL infrastructure 302 interfaces to the satellite headend 303 whichis managed by a satellite program provider. The copper cableinfrastructure 304 interfaces to the first cable headend 305 which ismanaged by a first cable program provider. The fiber optic cableinfrastructure 306 interfaces to the second cable headend 307 which ismanaged by a second cable program provider. The second cable programprovider is very similar to the first cable program provider exceptprogramming is routed over fiber optic cable instead of traditionalcopper cable.

The DSL infrastructure 302 also interfaces to a DSL modem in a firsthome (e.g., the first private home 103 of FIG. 1) to provide satelliteprogramming and other services to the first home. The copper cableinfrastructure 304 also interfaces to a copper cable modem in a secondhome (e.g., the second private home 119 of FIG. 1) to provide cableprogramming and other services to the second home. The fiber optic cableinfrastructure 306 interfaces to an Ethernet card in a place of business(e.g., the place of business 124 of FIG. 1) to provide cable programmingand other services to the place of business. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the DSL modem may interface to anMPS in the first home, the cable modem may interface with an MPS in thesecond home, and the Ethernet card may interface with an MPS in theplace of business.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention,the DSL modem in the first home may be part of a DSL MPS. In accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the cable modemin the second home may be part of a cable MPS. In accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention, the Ethernet card inthe place of business may be part of a Ethernet MPS in the third home.In such alternative embodiments, the DSL modem, the cable modem, and theEthernet card each constitute a broadband communication interface withinan MPS as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method 400, usingthe media exchange network 100 of FIG. 1, for performing media exchange,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step401, a representative icon and/or text of media content (e.g., a mediacontent file) is displayed on a TV screen of an MPS using a user controldevice (e.g., an MPS remote control). For example, a title of a mediacontent file may be displayed in a scheduled time slot of a channel in achannel view (a.k.a., a media guide). In step 402, the icon and/or textof the media content is selected on the TV screen using the user controldevice. In step 403, a list of destination locations (e.g., other MPS'son a media exchange network) is displayed on the TV screen using theuser control device. In step 404, a destination location is selected onthe TV screen from the list of destination locations using the usercontrol device. In step 405, sending of the selected media content tothe selected destination location is initiated using the user controldevice. In step 406, the media content is consumed at the selecteddestination location.

The following example demonstrates the method for performing mediaexchange illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 4, using the elements ofshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6. Let us assume that a user of a MPS such asthe MPS 102 at the first private home 103 wishes to transfer a file ofdigital images to the user of a second MPS such as the MPS 117 at thesecond private home 119. In this example, the first private home 103 ofFIG. 1 may correspond to “My House” 601 of FIG. 6, and the secondprivate home 119 may correspond to “Mom's House” 602 or “Brother'sHouse” 603. The user of the MPS 102 uses the remote control 106 todisplay a channel view, such as the channel view 605 of FIG. 6, on theTV screen 105. The channel view 605 includes a channel listing the fileof digital images. For example, in the channel view 605, the file ofdigital images may be listed as “Kid's Pictures” 606. The user of theMPS 102 then selects “Kid's Pictures” 606 on the TV screen 105 using theremote control 106. Next, the user of the MPS 102 uses the remotecontrol 106 to call up and display a list of destination locations thatexist on the media exchange network 100. The displayed list may show,for example, “Mom's House” 602 and “Brother's House” 603. The user ofthe MPS 102 (e.g., at “My House” 601) then selects a destinationlocation corresponding to the MPS 117 (e.g., at “Mom's House” 602) usingthe remote control 106. The user of the MPS 102 (e.g., “My House” 601)then uses the remote control 106 to initiate sending the file of digitalimages corresponding to “Kid's Pictures” 606 to the MPS 117 (e.g., at“Mom's House” 602) over the media exchange network 100. Once the file ofdigital images is received by the MPS 117, the user of the MPS 117 mayview (i.e., consume) the file of digital images on the TV screen of theMPS 117.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a channel(e.g., channel 606 of FIG. 6) in a channel view (e.g., channel view 605of FIG. 6) displayed by an MPS may just include a pointer to a mediacontent file which is stored in, for example, a media NAS unit such as,for example, the media NAS unit 108 of FIG. 1. The media content filemay be downloaded from the media NAS unit 108 to an MPS such as, forexample, the first MPS 102 of FIG. 1, using the pointer, and then playedon a media peripheral (e.g., a TV) such as the TV screen 105.Alternatively, the media content in the media content file could bestreamed directly from, for example, the media NAS unit 108, to a mediaperipheral (e.g., a TV), such as the TV screen 105.

To better understand this aspect of the present invention, let us againrefer to the elements of FIG. 1. In this example, let us assume a userof the MPS 102 selects a media content file on the TV screen 105 from achannel view, such as the channel view 605 of FIG. 6. For the purposesof this example, the channel view 605 stores a pointer that points tothe media content file in the media NAS unit 108. Once selected, themedia content file pointed to by the pointer is downloaded to an MPS,such as the MPS 102 of FIG. 1. The user of the MPS 102 may consume themedia content file (e.g., view the media content on the TV screen 105),or push the media content file to another user on the media exchangenetwork 100, for example, the user of MPS 117 at the second private home119.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, media contentmay be captured by a media peripheral device such as, for example, thedigital camera 113 or the digital camcorder 114 of FIG. 1, in the formof a digital media content file, and delivered to a PC such as PC 113 ofFIG. 1, via a wired or wireless connection. The digital media contentfile may then be downloaded from the PC 113 to a channel view (i.e., amedia guide or channel view, such as channel view 605 of FIG. 6) of anMPS via a wired or wireless connection.

For example, referring again to the elements of the media exchangenetwork 100 of FIG. 1, the digital camcorder 114 may be used to capturedigital video of a family vacation. The digital video may be downloadedto the PC 110 via a wireless link between the digital camcorder 114 andthe PC 110 at the first private home 103. The digital video may then bedownloaded to the STB 104 via the home network 107 and stored in achannel such as, for example, channel 607 of FIG. 6 of a channel view(i.e., media guide), such as the channel view 605. The digital video maybe viewed by the user of the MPS 102 on the TV screen 105, or pushed toanother user of the media exchange network 100 such as, for example, auser of the MPS 117 at second private home 119, using the methoddiscussed above with respect to the illustration of FIG. 4.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a user of anMPS may browse 3^(rd) party media that is stored out on the Internet,pull the 3^(rd) party media, and play it on a TV screen. For example,referring once again to FIG. 1, a user of the MPS 117 at the secondprivate home 119 may use the remote control 121 to search for 3^(rd)party media on the media exchange network 100, which includes Internetinfrastructure and functionality. The user may discover, for example, amusic CD provided by the 3^(rd) party media provider 127 and may pullthe contents of the music CD to the MPS 117 over the media exchangenetwork 100. This media content may appear as a channel such as, forexample, the channel “Joe's Music” 608, as a part of a channel such asthe channel view 605 of FIG. 6. The user may then access the media forconsumption using the method described with respect to FIG. 4 and achannel view such as channel view 605 of FIG. 6. The 3^(rd) party mediaprovider may bill the user of the MPS 117, or charge an account of theuser of the MPS 117 for the media consumption. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the billing for such media activities may be handledby a server such as, for example, the media exchange server 126.

Various functionality may be provided on a media exchange network inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. For example,functionality on a media exchange network such as, for example mediaexchange network 100 of FIG. 1 may include PC-to-STB and STB-to-STBnon-broadcast media exchange via a media guide (a.k.a., channel view)and a remote control. A media guide such as, for example, the mediaguide (i.e, channel view) 605 of FIG. 6 lists various scheduled channelsof media, and is displayed on a TV screen or PC monitor such as, forexample, the TV screen 105 or PC monitor 109 of FIG. 1. Non-broadcastmedia includes personal user media and media generated by friends andfamily members. Media may be pulled to a STB such as, for example, theSTB 104 of FIG. 1, or PC upon media guide selection with queuing, orpushed for local storage prior to media guide selection (no queuing).Media may be pushed to a storage server, and then pulled upon requestwith queuing.

Audio streaming and video streaming functionality may be providedbetween a PC and a STB and between a first STB and a second STB on amedia exchange network, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Functionality of automatic access and control of mediaperipheral devices via firewall and/or USB interfaces may be providedwith a STB and a PC (e.g., an image camera, MPEG 2 video, a MP3 player),in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Addressmanagement functionality of network protocol addresses such as, forexample, Internet protocol (IP) addresses, media access control (MAC)addresses, electronic serial numbers (ENS), etc., may be provided via amedia exchange server on a media exchange network, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Media migration and accessfunctionality may be provided via a storage server on a media exchangenetwork, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Functionality on a media exchange network may also include non-broadcastmedia exchange between a PC and multiple STB's, or between a STB andother multiple STB's via a media guide (a.k.a., channel view) and aremote control, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, a user of an MPS such as, for example, the MPS123 (i.e., the PC with a MMS) of FIG. 1 at the place of business 124,may push a file of digital data (e.g., a financial spreadsheet) to theMPS 102 and the MPS 117 over the media exchange network 100. The pushedmedia content may appear on a channel view (i.e., media guide) such asthe channel view 605 of FIG. 6. The user of the MPS 102 may thendownload the financial spreadsheet to the PC 109 via the home network107 for later viewing on the PC 109. The user of the MPS 117 may storethe received financial spreadsheet on the media NAS unit 120 and thenlater access the spreadsheet from the media NAS unit 120 to view on thescreen of the MPS 117 (i.e., the TV with the MMS) by accessing a channelshown on a channel view displayed on the MPS 117. The exemplary methodof FIG. 4 supports such media exchange and consumption.

Sharing of digital media may be accomplished in an automatic and/orautomated manner via personal broadcast channels. A media exchangenetwork such as the media exchange network 100 of FIG. 1 may coordinatesecure and authenticated personal network setup for multiple STB's andPC's and provide peripheral device registration and channel set upfunctionality, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. PC and STB based automatic program construction functionalitymay be provided with automatic and web based channel routing via a mediaexchange server, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Personal network activity indications (e.g., pop-up visualand audio messages) may be delivered to a user via a media exchangeserver on a media exchange network, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, PC basedprogram editing and construction with channel routing may be providedvia a media exchange server on a media exchange network. STB-to-STBvoice exchange using packet cable telephony infrastructure may beprovided on a media exchange network. In accordance with an embodimentof the present invention, a media exchange server on a media exchangenetwork supports theft prevention and “STB Hotspot” operation of mediaperipheral devices via registration and security functions. Date andTime access to media archived on a storage server (life archival) usingmedia transcoding engines is supported in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, a storage server on a media exchange network supportsnew media peripheral formats for consumption on legacy STB's or othermedia peripherals (on-request transcoding). In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, non-broadcast commercial types maybe pre-selected and made available for insertion into broadcast media.

FIG. 5 comprises a media exchange network 500 for exchanging and sharingmedia information, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention. In the illustration of FIG. 5, a PC 502 capturesvarious types of media including, for example, digital media from adigital camera 505, an MP3 player 506, and a digital camcorder 507.

The PC 502 is equipped with media exchange software 508 to provide auser interface, distributed storage, and networking capability. Forexample, the media exchange software 508 may provide personal mediachannel construction supporting audio, video, images, image sequenceselection, text, voice overlay, channel and program naming, andinter-home set-top-box routing selection, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, the PC 502 interfaces to a peer2peer media exchangenetwork/server 510 on the Internet 511, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, thepeer2peer media exchange network/server 510 may comprise a singlecentral server or may comprise a distributed server having softwarecomponents distributed across various participants of the shared networkenvironment.

The captured media information may be pushed by the PC 502 to atelevision set-top-box such as, for example, television set-top-boxes501, 503, at a remote location through the peer2peer media exchangenetwork/server 510. The television set-top-boxes 501, 503 also havemedia exchange software such as the media exchange software 508installed within them. The pushed media information may be selected andviewed by a user by way of a television 513. 514 which is interfaced tothe television set-top-boxes 501, 503, using a remote control such asremote control 515, 516. The media content may be selected and viewed ontelevision set-top-boxes 501, 503 with a TV-channel guide look-and-feelprovided by a channel view (a.k.a., channel guide) such as the channelview 605 of FIG. 6, as displayed by the media exchange software.

A third party media provider such as, for example, the 3^(rd) partymedia provider 512 of FIG. 5 may also deliver personal or third partymedia. Access to and viewing of such 3^(rd) party media may be providedto users of the PC 502 and/or television set-top-boxes 501, 503 via achannel view (a.k.a, media guide) with a TV-channel guide look-and-feel,such as the channel view 705 shown in FIG. 7, described below.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate two types of media push, personal and thirdparty, respectively, in accordance with the present invention. Mediaexchange software such as the media exchange software 508 of FIG. 5formats the media in a TV-like format and pushes the media from, forexample, a home PC 604 at “My House” 601 to a media exchangenetwork/server 609 through, for example, a cable 610, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The home PC 604 may correspondto, for example, the PC 502 of FIG. 5. A “Brother's House” 603 and a“Mom's House” 602 may access the pushed media information through ainstalled media boxes 611, 612 (also known as M-boxes, which aresoftware-enhanced set-top-boxes), at the respective houses. The M-boxes611, 612 may correspond to, for example, the set-top-boxes 513, 514 ofFIG. 5. The brother and Mom may each independently select which pushedmedia to view and at what time, using their respective media guides(a.k.a., channel views) 613, 614. Storage of the pushed media may be onthe M-boxes 611, 612 when the M-box comprises sufficient storage suchas, for example, a 80-120 Gigabyte memory. Storage may also be atvarious other sites on the network such as other PC's on the network ora service provider. Storage may also be on the pushing PC, such as PC604 at “My House” 601.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless interface may beprovided between, for example, a digital camera such as the digitalcamera 505 of FIG. 5, and an M-box such as the M-box 611, or a digitalcamera 505 and a PC such as the PC 605, to provide automatic andwireless media capture.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of media push from a3^(rd) party 701 to a PC 702 and/or an M-box 704, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The illustration of FIG. 7 shows a3^(rd) party 701 communicating via a peer2peer media exchangenetwork/server 710 with a PC 702 and an M-box 704. The PC 702 comprisesmedia exchange software 703, that may correspond to the media exchangesoftware 508 of FIG. 5. The M-box 704 supports a channel view (a.k.a.,media guide) 705 comprising channels 706 and 707. The channel view 705may correspond to one of channel views 613, 614 shown in FIG. 6. Thepeer2peer media exchange network/server 710 may correspond to, forexample, the peer2peer media exchange network/server 510 of FIG. 5.

As shown in the illustration of FIG. 7, the media from the 3^(rd) party701 may be requested by way of the PC 702 and/or the M-box 704 using aPC keyboard such as the PC keyboard 128 of FIG. 1, and/or a televisionremote control such as the television remote control 106 of FIG. 1. The3^(rd) party 701 then pushes the requested media by way of the peer2peermedia exchange network/server 710 to the PC 702 and/or M-box 704. Ingeneral, any participant having access to the peer2peer media exchangenetwork/server 710 may push or request media information to/from anyother participant on the peer2peer media exchange network/server 710.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention comprising aPC-to-M-box media exchange network configuration. The media exchangenetwork configuration of FIG. 8 comprises a 3^(rd) party media provider801, a broadband Internet 811, a peer2peer media server 810, a PC 803,and a M-box 802. The broadband Internet 811 interconnects the PC 803,the peer2peer media server 810, and the M-box 802. In the illustrationof FIG. 8, the user of the PC 803 wishes to push media to the user ofthe M-box 802. In order to permit such a transfer in a secure andprivate manner, the peer2peer media server 810 may provide M-box 802with a means of assuring the identity of a supplier of media, in theform of a digital certificate means (not shown). The user of the M-box802 may request a digital certificate from the peer2peer media server810, and either transmit the digital certificate to the PC 803, orrequest that the peer2peer media server 810 deliver the digitalcertificate to the PC 803.

In the example of FIG. 8, the digital certificate requested by the M-box802 and supplied by the peer2peer media server 810 is a “one-time”digital certificate. A one-time digital certificate is valid for asingle use, permitting a provider of media such as, for example, the PC803, to perform a single transfer of media to the authorizer. Thepeer2peer media server 810 may be requested to provide digitalcertificates for other users of the media exchange network such as, forexample, friends and family, or for a 3^(rd) party media provider suchas 3^(rd) party media provider 801. In either case, the digitalcertificate serves to prevent unwanted media pushes from people notknown to a user. Media requests may still be made by a user of the M-box802 through a normal direct request pathway or through an anonymousrequest pathway.

It should be noted that although the illustration of FIG. 8 only shows aPC 803 exchanging media with an M-box 802, the present invention is notlimited to media exchanges between a PC and an M-box. For example, themedia exchange illustrated in FIG. 8 and described above also applies toexchanges between a PC and a PC, or an M-Box and an M-box.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention thatprovides digital media exchange. The illustration of FIG. 9 shows twohomes, “My Home” 901, and “Friends and Families' Home(s)” 902, connectedby a media exchange network 910. Located at “My Home” 901 is an M-box905 and a PC 903. Located at “Friends and Families' Home(s)” 902 is anM-box 906 and a PC 904. Although the PC's 903, 904 may be provided atboth locations for distributed storage and access, they are notnecessary. The illustration of FIG. 9 also comprises a digital camcorder911 and a digital camera 915. A channel view 920 (a.k.a., media guide,TV channel guide look-and-feel interface) is also illustrated and thatmay be displayed on one or both of the M-boxes 905, 906, or in anotherembodiment of the present invention, on one or both of the PC's 903,904. As shown, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 supports theautomated delivery of media from the digital camcorder 911 and/or thedigital camera 915 to the M-boxes 905, 906. The transfer of such mediamay be arranged by a user via channel view 920 by scheduling a “pull” ofthe media by one or more of the M-boxes 905, 906, or PC's 903, 904, or apush from the digital camcorder 911 or digital camera 915 to one or moreof the M-boxes 905, 906, or PC's 903, 904. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the PC's 905, 906 may be used for media consumption,or for distribution and/or storage of the media from the digitalcamcorder 911 and/or the digital camera 915. The secure and private pushof media from the digital camcorder 911 and/or the digital camera 915may be supported by the use of a digital certificate mechanism, asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 8. It should be noted that theautomated delivery illustrated in FIG. 9 is not limited to the digitalcamcorder 911 and digital camera 915 media peripherals shown, but mayinvolve the use of alternate or additional media peripherals as well.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present inventioncomprising an Internet infrastructure 1011, a cable broadbandinfrastructure 1010, and an optional head end server 1013. Theillustration shows in greater detail an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 1000 such as the media exchange network 100 of FIG. 1. The mediaexchange network 1000 comprises an Internet infrastructure 1011, a cablebroadband infrastructure 1010, and an optional head end server 1013. Inaddition, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 comprises a home PC 1001,a first M-box 1002, and a second M-box 1003. The illustrated embodimentfurther comprises a media peripheral 1004, connected to home PC 1001. Inthe illustration the media peripheral 1004 is connected via a wired linksuch as, for example, a universal serial bus (USB), but may also belinked via a wireless connection, as described above with respect toFIG. 1. The media peripheral 1004 may correspond to one or more of, forexample, the mobile multi-media gateway 111, the digital camcorder 114,the home juke-box 116, or the digital camera of FIG. 1. The home PC 1001may correspond to home PC 101 of FIG. 1, and the M-boxes 1002, 1003 maycorrespond to the set-top-box 104 of FIG. 1.

The home PC 1001 of FIG. 10 may comprise media exchange software such asthe media exchange software 508 of FIG. 5. As described above, suchmedia exchange software may provide a user with a media guide (a.k.a.,channel view) interface supporting the consumption of media such as, forexample, still images and video. The home PC 1001 may also comprise aninterface to support an interconnection to a co-located M-box. Forexample, an interconnection such as USB link 1008 may be used tointerconnect a PC to a nearby M-box, such as M-box 1002. The M-box 1002in FIG. 10 is communicatively coupled to other users of the mediaexchange network via cable television access via CATV link 1012. TheM-box 1002 interfaces to a user via TV 1005 and remote control 1006. TheM-box 1002 supports an RF interface to TV 1005, a 56 kbps modem, andboth internal media storage and external media storage using, forexample, an external storage means such as, for example, a memory stickdevice made by Sony Corporation.

The media exchange network shown in FIG. 10 also comprises a secondM-box 1003, connected via a CATV link to the cable broadbandinfrastructure 1010 of the media exchange network 1000. A user interfacefor M-box 1003 is provided by TV 1007 and remote control 1009. Inaddition, the media exchange network 1000 of FIG. 10 comprises anoptional head end server 1013 having software to support media storage,interfaces to simple M-box embodiments (not shown), and arrangements forrouting of signals to/from the cable broadband infrastructure 1010,where iPPV ID addressing is used, from/to the Internet infrastructure1011, where Internet protocol (IP) addressing is used.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the various elementsassociated with various embodiments of the present invention. Theelements shown in the illustration of FIG. 11 include infrastructureelements 1101 such as, for example, billing, authentication, andauthorization 1102; distributed storage management 1103; networkmanagement 1104; and software application program interfaces (API's) andlibraries 1105. Additional elements shown in the illustration of FIG. 11include enhanced cable, satellite, and digital subscriber line (DSL)networks 1106; enhanced set top boxes 1107; enhanced peripherals 1108;3^(rd) party media 1109; and enhanced network, set top box, andperipheral silicon (i.e., integrated circuit devices) 1110.

FIG. 12 illustrates the various functional elements of an enhancedset-top-box 1200 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The enhanced set-top-box 1200 of FIG. 12 comprises amultimedia engine functional element 1201, an I/O interface functionalelement 1202, an operating system functional element 1203. Theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 also comprises a security accesscontrol/authorization functional element 1205, a storage applicationprogram interface (API) functional element 1206, a M-box networksoftware functional element 1207, and billing and user profile softwarefunctional element 1208. The multi-media engine functional element 1201may provide for the display of graphic such as, for example, stillimages, video, user interfaces, and the like. This functional elementmay also support the processing of audio and video encoded using suchstandards as the MPEG2 and MP3 standards, high resolution television(HDTV) signals, and digital data/audio from compact discs (CDs). Themulti-media engine functional element 1201 may also support the captureof video from one or more of the media peripherals described withrespect to FIG. 1, above.

The I/O interface functional element 1202 may comprise support foruniversal serial bus (USB) communication described with respect to FIG.10, above. It may also support other forms of communication including,but not limited to, IEEE 802.11b and later forms of wireless local areanetwork (LAN) communication, and IEEE 802.15.3a and later forms of shortrange wireless personal networks. This type of short range network waspreviously discussed with respect to the link between media peripheralssuch as the digital camera 113 or digital camcorder 114, and the PC 109and set top box 104 of FIG. 1.

The operating system functional element 1203 may comprise a real-timeoperating system such as, for example, Psos or VxWorks from Wind RiverSystems, Java from Sun Microsystems, and similar operating systemenvironments.

The security access control/authorization functional element 1205 mayprovide support for the digital certificate mechanism described withrespect to FIG. 8, above. This functional element may also comprisesupport for the management of certificate authority (CA) keys,management and access control, and certificate authority verification.The storage application program interface (API) functional element 1206may comprise support for a distributed access engine and memorymanagement, to provide for the searching and access to storagedistributed across a media exchange network 100 as shown in FIG. 1. TheM-box network software functional element 1207 may comprise one or moreapplication program interfaces (API's) to support the operation of theM-box described above with respect to FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 10. The billingand user profile software functional element 1208 may comprise mediaconsumption management software and authorship compensation support toprovide the billing for and payment of amounts owed to media providersby users of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates legacy set-top-box support using an M-box adapter1301 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. TheM-box adapter 1301 provides media storage, a selectable channelmodulator, and capability to capture and modify a TV-channel guide suchas the channel views (a.k.a. media guides) 613, 614 of FIG. 6, describedabove, based on media availability. The M-box adapter 1301 interfacesbetween the legacy set-top-box 1302 and a broadband cable interface withcable broadband infrastructure 1310, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In such an embodiment, no software changes arerequired up-stream or down-stream from the M-box adapter 1301.

FIG. 14 illustrates legacy set-top-box support by upgrading the legacyset-top-box 1401 with software, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The software upgrade allows the set-top-box 1401 tosupport media TV-channels using a TV-channel guide look-and-feelinterface, such as the channel view (a.k.a., media guide) 613, 614 ofFIG. 6. In addition, the software upgrade permits the legacy set-top-box1401 to support the storage of media, and to allow access to the headend server 1402 to support the use of iPPV modems, to support routing ofdata between cable iPPV ID-based addresses and Internet infrastructureInternet protocol (IP) addresses used with the media exchange networkinfrastructure of such an embodiment, and to provide for media storage.

The various embodiments described above in at least FIGS. 5-14 enablethe features described below.

At the highest level, features of the various embodiments of the presentinvention comprise transferring and sharing of digital media from onedevice/location to another with ease. The transfer and sharing istransparent to the user since the user is only interested in theentertainment aspects and not the networking aspects.

Certain key features of various embodiments of the present inventioninclude a personal media storage network for sharing images, video, andmusic with friends and family and for selected third party content.Digital media is accessible via a legacy interactive TV channel guideinterface requiring no learning curve and providing mass market appeal.Network set up and TV channel guide interaction are accomplished via aTV remote control device. A common channel guide interface is availableon set-top-boxes, satellite, PC, etc.

Other key features include integrating media generating devices atnetwork peripherals. Automated peripheral media access and peripheralcontrol are provided via inter-home (personal) network. Inter-homeroaming is supported based on authentication via digital certificates.Personal channels may be constructed such as, for example, a “Mom”channel, life archival selections, auctions, sales, commercials,classics, music, sitcoms, etc.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the infrastructureto support features such as authorship and media rights management. Forexample, a set-top-box will only work with a server and a digitalcertificate. The user is operating on a closed and secure platform.

Shared inter-home media experiences may be provided by embodiments ofthe present invention such as a multi-home media event with personalPIP/Audio exchange between family members and different locations, andsingle user control.

Monthly or pay-per-view/pay-per-listen billing may be provided by aservice provider in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a software platform forPCs and set-top-boxes (STBs) that enables personal media (pictures,video, music) channel construction, push, and TV-channel guidelook-and-feel access and viewing across a secure peer2peer IP network.Media may be instantly pushed from a PC, or high-end STB, to any low orhigh-end STBs in a pre-established friends and family network. A mediaexchange network provides secure distribution of copyrighted third partycontent with billing support.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for anin-home network infrastructure, a multi-platform media storage networkmay extend to home PCs, set-top/PVR (M-box), media players, cameras,etc. Easy access is provided from an M-box to any stored media. Theability to remotely access any media or drive in the M-box, PCs, orappliances using a TV display as a monitor is provided.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, forinter-home network infrastructure, a set-top/PVR engine may be enhanced(M-box) with additional operating system (windows-lite, TV-linux, etc.),TCP/IP, and HTTP stacks. M-boxes may connect to one another viabroadband access networks such as cable, DSL, etc. Stored media (video,audio, music, etc.) may appear like regular TV channels (similar to PPVlistings) to authorized connected users. M-box connection and networkingaspects may be transparent to connected users, for example, withcomplete TV-like feeling provided.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, IP exchange,authorization, and authentication is provided. Peripheral device(camera, phone, etc.) to M-box association may be based on digitalcertificate authorization and authentication. Each device may beprovided with a “certificate key” (common to all devices), and a “devicecertificate” (unique for each device) where the M-box validates eachdevice certificate with the “certificate key”. A peripheral device mayassociate with a root M-box or any other M-box without further setup.Any peripheral that usually connects directly to a root M-box may alsodo so through any other M-box.

IP exchange, authorization, and authentication is based on a remotecontrol box number or an IP address and a password in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. IP exchange, authorization, andauthentication may be through an internet PC, a cable provider, using aninteractive M-box sync (i.e., handshaking). A telephone setup is alsopossible by manually entering an access number or using other M-boxinteraction. There may be, for example, cable company to cable companybridge/common M-box tables.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, personal homemedia channels are provided that appear like regular TV channels or PPVchannel listings (e.g., “Mom channel”, “Brother channel”). Channellistings may be sorted by media type, category, date, previously viewed,etc. with options to “play only/play-copy-store/request-copy”. Storedmedia in a root M-box automatically appears on other authorized M-boxeson the appropriate home media channels. A user may select from a homemedia channels list for viewing rights. Contents may be viewed once or Ntimes with an option to destroy/erase from a remote system. For example,a view once/N times certificate may be obtained or the rights may bepurchased, etc.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in the M-boxnetwork infrastructure, a personal M-box network is provided thatsupports multiple broadband access such as cable, DSL, satellite, anddial-up. Personal M-box network creation and maintenance are alsoprovided. A linkage architecture is provided for all personal M-boxnetworks. Remote/home access to a personal M-box network via theinternet and PC for media scheduling/channel line-up, purchasing, anddelivery is also provided. SPAM filtering and a firewall are alsoprovided in the M-box network infrastructure.

Embodiments of the present invention provide M-box peripheral andstorage support. Peripherals are associated with a home M-box.Peripheral roaming access/authorization/billing to any M-box may beprovided, however. A distributed home/personal M-box networkstorage/access with “lifetime” archival (storage infrastructure) isprovided. Personal media migration into the infrastructure network,servers, hosting, and caching is provided. Instant media availabilitythroughout the personal M-box network, upon home M-box contentcreation/authorization, is provided. A media storage network extendsfrom the M-box peripherals through the entire M-box network.

A TV-channel look-and-feel is provided to access media content inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, aPPV look-and-feel may be provided including the ability to queue starttimes. Channel listings may be sorted by media type, category,creation/availability date, previously viewed, etc. with options to“play_only”, and/or “play_copy_store”, and/or “request_copy”. A computerlook-and-feel may also be supported, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention, for the computer-savvy. A head-end serviceprovider may coordinate billing, playback, authorization, scheduling,and media rights in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. An author may establish home media channel viewing rights,for example.

A personal media channel may be constructed from information on auser's, friend's, and family's M-box, peripheral, and internet PC mediastorage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Embodiments of the present invention support, for example,“Mom/Brother/Family/Friends” channels. Instant availability of createdmedia by peripherals across personal channels in the M-box network isprovided. Media search and browsing capability and an individual's lifearchival channel storing all media are provided as well.

A vendor media channel may be constructed from a multitude of vendor'sM-boxes, peripherals, internet, and head-end (service provider) storedmedia in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Vendormedia and associated media may be identified via searching and browsingvia an M-box or internet PC. Vendor video/audio/image databases withbilling and tracking are supported. The vendor databases may include,for example, new releases, classics, thrillers, MGM, BMI, sports, andnews.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a vendor maypre-construct a media channel selection. Pre-constructed media channelsmay be selected from a vendor's M-box, peripheral, internet, or head-end(service provider) media storage. An auction channel may be supportedwith a user-driven QVC-like TV channel interface. Vendor sales channelswith user selectable content may be provided. A vendor may supportpre-construction for a given user on the fly based on a user profile,user requests, and user restrictions. Access via a search engine,reference (routing) number (identified in a TV commercial or frominternet PC web page browsing) may be supported. An M-box may receive areference number via remote control (number entry or new request buttonassociated with a current commercial) or via internet PC “forwarding”.Automatic commercial/advertisement insertion by pre-selection or userprofile may be supported. Billing via PC internet web page interactionand/or PPV look-and-feel may be supported.

An audio look-and-feel may be offered and may have the samelook-and-feel as TV music channels in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Also, direct audio amplifier delivery via anM-box may be provided (Aux. Dongle, Low power FM modulation). MP3interchange between any two media player M-box peripherals may beprovided through a personal M-box network and beyond. Streaming supportof M-box audio/video/peer-to-peer/master-slave may be supported.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a legacy STBmay be supported. An auxiliary M-box adapter may be offered thatattaches to legacy STB's to provide full M-box functionality. Inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention,legacy STB's may be supported with a software upgrade at a head-end andlegacy STB push capability from a user's/friend's/family's/third party'sinternet PC or from friend's/family's/third party's M-box or legacy STBwith an auxiliary M-box adapter. Low-bandwidth images and possibly audiomay be supported. A head-end may deliver a software upgrade withintegrated personal media as part of the user interface to provide a“menu” sequence that appears as a channel. For example, when a userselects “Mom's channel”, a menu sequence of Mom's images are presentedto the user for viewing.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, mediaconsumption from local or remote storage may create a billing eventcharged through a cable company as PPV or PPlisten, or may be chargedvia a PC account set up and managed to a credit card or other paymentsource. Collection could be delivered to the author from the cablecompany. Media copyright piracy prevention and usagetracking/consumption/certificates may be provided. Contents may beviewed once or N times with an option to destroy/erase from the remotesystem. M-box personal billing profiles and processing/authorization maybe provided via the cable network. An M-box credit card/smart card/cellphone/PDA purchasing peripheral may be provided and used. A billed partymay be the media consumer or the party delivering the media or arrangingthe media delivery, for example.

Other features supported by embodiments of the present invention includereal-time video/audio inter-home media experience (personalpicture-in-picture (PIP), multicasting), media-meta data support andM-box display, marketing/user profiling support, home appliance accessas part of home M-box network, cell-phone call routing via home M-box,screen saver TV mode (e.g., art, recent family images, etc.).

In summary, a system and method provide for the exchange and sharing ofmedia between, for example, family members and friends in an efficient,user-friendly, and economically viable manner over a closed and securemedia exchange network using an MPS with a remote control and TV screen,for example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A system supporting exchange of media, said system comprising: afirst television in a first home; a first storage in the first home thatstores the media; the first storage supporting consumption of the mediaby the first television in the first home, and having a first networkaddress with respect to a first user in the first home; a user interfacedisplayed on the first television in the first home, the user interfacehaving at least one view comprising a representation of media availablefor consumption, the user interface supporting delivery of the media toa second home; a second television in the second home; a second storagesupporting consumption of the media by the second television in thesecond home, and having a second network address with respect to asecond user in the second home, wherein the second user is known to thefirst user; a communication network; and server software that maintainsa user defined association of the first and second network addresses andthat receives a request that identifies one of the associated first andsecond network addresses and responds by identifying the other of theassociated first and second network addresses to support delivery viathe communication network of the media from the first storage to thesecond home for consumption by the second television.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the first and second network addresses are one of anInternet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, oran electronic serial number (ESN).
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein thecommunication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, asatellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL)infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure,a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.
 4. The systemof claim 1 wherein the communication network is the Internet.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, astill image, video, and/or data.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein themedia comprises real-time video.
 7. The system of claim 1 whereinconsumption comprises one or more of playing audio, displaying a stillimage, displaying video, and/or displaying data.
 8. A system supportingexchange of media, said system comprising: a first storage in a firsthome that stores the media, and having a first protocol address withrespect to a first user in the first home; a user interface in the firsthome, the user interface having at least one view comprising arepresentation of media available for consumption, the user interfacesupporting delivery of the media from the first storage in the firsthome to a second home; a television in the second home, and having asecond protocol address with respect to a second user in the secondhome, wherein the second user is known to the first user; set top boxcircuitry, in the first home, communicatively coupled to deliver themedia from the first storage to the television for consumption; acommunication network; and server software that maintains a user definedassociation of the first and second protocol addresses and that receivesa request that identifies one of the associated first and secondprotocol addresses and responds by identifying the other of theassociated first and second protocol addresses to support delivery viathe communication network of the media from the first storage to thesecond television for consumption.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein themedia comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.10. The system of claim 9 wherein the media comprises real-time video.11. The system of claim 8 wherein the first and second protocoladdresses are one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media accesscontrol (MAC) address, or an electronic serial number (ESN).
 12. Thesystem of claim 8 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playingaudio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displayingdata.
 13. The system of claim 8 wherein the communication networkcomprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite networkinfrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, anInternet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.
 14. The system ofclaim 8 wherein the communication network is the Internet.
 15. Thesystem of claim 8 wherein the server software supports anonymous mediaexchange.
 16. The system of claim 8 wherein the server software forwardsmedia from the first storage to the second television.
 17. The system ofclaim 8 wherein the server software is at a location separate from thefirst home and the second home.
 18. A system supporting exchange ofmedia, said system comprising: a first storage in a first home thatstores the media; a user interface in the first home, the user interfacehaving at least one view comprising a representation of media availablefor consumption, the user interface supporting delivery of the mediafrom the first storage in the first home to a second home; a televisionin the second home; set top box circuitry, in the first home,communicatively coupled to deliver the media from the first storage tothe second home for consumption by the television; a closed and securecommunication network, wherein the media is delivered from the firststorage to the second home for consumption by the television via theclosed and secure communication network; and server software thatcoordinates delivery of the media from the first storage to the set topbox circuitry, the server software maintaining a user definedassociation of first and second network addresses with respect to firstand second users, respectively, in the first and second homes,respectively.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the media comprises oneor more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.
 20. The system ofclaim 19 wherein the media comprises real-time video.
 21. The system ofclaim 18 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing audio,displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displaying data. 22.The system of claim 18 wherein the communication network comprises oneor more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, adigital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internetinfrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure,and/or a wireless infrastructure.
 23. The system of claim 18 wherein thecommunication network is the Internet.
 24. The system of claim 18wherein the server software supports anonymous media exchange.
 25. Asystem supporting exchange of media, said system comprising: a userinterface in a first home, the user interface having at least one viewcomprising a representation of media available for consumption, the userinterface supporting delivery of media from a first storage in the firsthome to a second home; set top box circuitry, in the first home,communicatively coupled to deliver the media from the first storage atthe first home, to the second home for consumption by a television; andsoftware that maintains a user defined association of first and secondnetwork addresses with respect to first and second users, respectively,in the first and second homes, respectively, wherein the first andsecond users know one another, the software receives a request thatidentifies one of the associated first or second network addresses andresponds by identifying the other of the associated first or secondnetwork addresses to support delivery via a communication network ofmedia from the first storage in the first home to the second home, forconsumption by the television.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein thefirst and second network addresses are one of an Internet protocol (IP)address, a media access control (MAC) address, or an electronic serialnumber (ESN).
 27. The system of claim 25 wherein the communicationnetwork comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellitenetwork infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure,an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.
 28. The system ofclaim 25 wherein the communication network is the Internet.
 29. Thesystem of claim 25 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, astill image, video, and/or data.
 30. The system of claim 25 wherein themedia comprises real-time video.
 31. The system of claim 25 whereinconsumption comprises one or more of playing audio, displaying a stillimage, displaying video, and/or displaying data.